One-of-a-kind French musician cranks his organ in Sausalito

While strolling through the Farmers’ Market in Sausalito’s Dunphy Park on Sunday, I noticed a man with a thick black jacket standing underneath a striped-blue umbrella. He was singing sultry French songs while cranking up a painted blue music box.

“What are you playing?” I asked once he finished the song.

The man explained that he was playing a barrel organ, which is quite rare, he said. He also said very few people know how to play it. Later, I learned that Michel Michelis fell in love with the barrel organ about three years ago and has been playing it ever since.

Next week, Michel said he’ll be going to France to reconnect with family and buy a few new songs for his favorite instrument.

“Can you play a song for me?”

“Yes, of course,” he says.

I didn’t understand the lyrics, but I thought it sounded nice, a bit sad. “What was it about?”

“It’s about a young girl who falls madly in love … with a not so-good guy,” he says.

“What eventually happens?” I ask.

“He leaves her.”

“Are all your songs about love?” I ask.

“I’d say 70 percent,” he answers with a smile.

“Thanks,” I tell him, noticing for the first time that he has piercing blue eyes. “Your song are lovely.”

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Sidebar: Michel recently starred in the animated movie Cars 2 as the voice of Tomber. He is also recording a new CD called “La Trace” for the French market. To learn more, check out one of Michel’s many websites. This very good video shows Michel playing the barrel organ about nine months ago.